AI-assisted summary
• Coach Bill Belichick has led North Carolina football to a disappointing 2-3 start in his first season.
• Both Belichick and the university’s athletic director have publicly expressed their commitment to the program’s direction.
• A planned ‘Hard Knocks’-style docuseries about the team on Hulu was reportedly scrapped.

North Carolina football has been quite disappointing in 2025, as coach Bill Belichick has led the program to a 2-3 start so far with blowout losses in each of its matchups with Power Four opponents.

With speculation stirring about Belichick’s future given his inexperience at the college level paired with a very disappointing start to his first season with the program, Belichick and North Carolina athletic director Bubba Cunningham both expressed their confidence in the direction of the program on Wednesday, Oct. 8.

‘I’m fully committed to UNC Football and the program we’re building here,’ Belichick said in a post from North Carolina on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Bubba Cunningham added: ‘Coach Belichick has the full support of the Department of Athletics and University.’

North Carolina’s program was set for a ‘Hard Knocks’-style docuseries on Hulu, but it was scrapped recently, according to multiple reports. North Carolina was previously set to be the program covered on HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks,’ which also fell through due to reportedly a myriad of different reasons, including the apparent role of Belichick’s girlfriend, 24-year-old Jordon Hudson.

North Carolina is coming off a 38-10 loss to Clemson, which led 28-3 after the first quarter. Power Four opponents have outscored the Tar Heels 120-33 this season.

North Carolina is set to travel to Cal for its first ACC road game on Oct. 17 after its bye week, with more controversy certain to follow the contentious coach throughout the year.

PHOENIX — Phoenix Mercury forward Satou Sabally left Game 3 of the WNBA Finals with an apparent head injury on Wednesday night at Mortgage Matchup Center.

Sabally, who scored 24 points, left the game with 4:25 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Mercury forward went up for a shot and made contact with Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young. When Sabally came down from her elevation while simultaneously trying to grab an offensive rebound, she got tangled up with Young and fell to the ground. As she was falling, she made contact with Aces forward Kierstan Bell’s knee. Young was called for a loose-ball foul.

The foul was reviewed for a possible upgrade, but the call on the floor was upheld. Sabally stayed down for several minutes before rising to her feet and going down again. Sabally was on the ground for several more seconds before standing up again and walking to the tunnel with assistance. She did not return to the game, which the Mercury lost 90-88 to the Aces to go down 3-0 in the best-of-seven series.

Mercury coach Nate Tibbets said in his postgame press conference that he went to the locker room postgame, but Sabally was not there. He didn’t have an update on the injury or her status for Game 4 on Friday.

“I would guess she got hit in the face or the head,’ Tibbets said later.

It’s unclear if Sabally will be able to play Friday. If she did suffer a head injury, she would likely enter the league’s concussion protocol, which requires multiple steps before participating in basketball activities. The gradual return to those activities can not begin until at least 24 hours after the concussion, there are no symptoms when the athlete is at rest and the player has been evaluated and cleared by a doctor, according to the policy.

PHOENIX — The Phoenix Mercury were on the verge of another double-digit comeback victory in the fourth quarter of Game 3 of the WNBA Finals.

Then Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson did what Wilson does best.

The Aces led by 17 points entering the fourth quarter before the Mercury tied it at 88 all with 5.0 seconds remaining. Then Wilson showed exactly why she’s the four-time MVP by knocking down a go-ahead jumper over the Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner to reclaim the lead.

‘I just needed a bucket to go in,’ Wilson said postgame. ‘I didn’t really see who was in front of me. I didn’t care. This is the Finals, you’ve got to make shots.’

The No. 2 seed Aces are up 3-0 in the best-of-seven WNBA Finals following the 90-88 victory on Wednesday at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix. The Aces are one win from securing their third WNBA championship in four years and have a chance to close out the series on Friday in Game 4 in Phoenix. 

Wilson finished with a game-high 34 points, 14 rebounds and four assists. Jackie Young added 21 points and nine assists and Jewell Loyd had 16 points and seven rebounds off the bench.

The Mercury were led by DeWanna Bonner’s 25 points off the bench. She had a chance at a catch and shoot as time expired which would have sent the game to overtime but it rimmed out. Satou Sabally had 24 points before exiting the game in the fourth quarter with an apparent head injury. Alyssa Thomas has 12 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists.

GAME 2: Las Vegas Aces take 2-0 lead in WNBA Finals with Game 2 rout of Phoenix Mercury

Here’s what you need to know for Game 3 of the WNBA Finals:

Satou Sabally exits with apparent head injury

Satou Sabally exited the game in the fourth quarter after her head collided with Kierstan Bell’s knee. Sabally missed a layup attempt with 4:25 remaining in the contest. As she went up for an offensive rebound, Sabally’s arm got wrapped up by Aces guard Jackie Young, causing her to fall and collide with Bell’s knee on the way down. Young was called for a loose ball foul. Sabally exited with a team-high 24 points and five rebounds.

End of Q3: Aces 76, Mercury 59

A’ja Wilson continues to do A’ja Wilson things. The Aces center has a game-high 28 points and 12 rebounds through three quarters, becoming the first player in WNBA Finals history to record three consecutive games with 25 or more points and 10 rebounds. 

Aces guard Jackie Young is closing in on a double-double with 15 points and nine assists. 

The turnovers are piling up for the Mercury. Phoenix is up 11 turnovers (four in the third quarter), leading to 16 points for the Aces. The Mercury have also left a lot of points at the free throw line, shooting 66.7% (12-of-18), the Mercury’s worst free throw performance this postseason. 

Mercury forward Satou Sabally has 19 points and five rebounds. DeWanna Bonner has 16 points and six rebounds. Alyssa Thomas is closing in on a triple-double with 13 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, but Thomas picked up her fourth personal foul with 2:13 remaining in the third quarter. 

Mercury guard Kahleah Copper has struggled to get going offensively in Game 3, shooting 3-of-10 from the field and 0-of-3 from the 3-point line. 

Halftime: Aces 55, Mercury 43

The Aces outscored the Mercury 29-20 in the second quarter to take a 12-point lead into halftime, marking the largest halftime lead by either team in the WNBA Finals. 

The Aces are getting it done by committee with 17 assists on 19 field goals in the first half. A’ja Wilson has a game-high 17 points, seven rebounds and three assists, while Jackie Young is up to 11 points and eight assists. 

Satou Sabally has a team-high 15 points for the Mercury, while Alyssa Thomas added 11 points, six rebounds and and five assists. However, the Mercury were forced into seven first-half turnovers which led to 11 points. 

“We’re getting deflections. We’re making their looks very, very hard. We’ve just got to contain ourselves without fouling,” Wilson said of her team’s defensive effort in the first half. “This is the Finals and I’m trying to win a championship. If they say defense wins championship, then I’m all aboard.”

Both team’s benches have been a big storyline in the WNBA Finals and the Aces’ bench once again has the edge over Phoenix, outscoring the Mercury’s bench 18-10 so far. Jewell Loyd has 12 points off the bench, all scored in the first quarter from the 3-point line. Loyd is the first player in WNBA Finals history to score four 3s in the first quarter. 

DeWanna Bonner has given the Mercury productive minutes off the bench with 10 points and six rebounds in 13 minutes. Sami Whitcomb is still looking to get on the board and shot 0-of-3 from the 3-point line. 

The Aces are shooting a staggering 56.3% (9-of-16) from the 3-point line. The Mercury is 3-of-10 from beyond the arc.  

End of Q1: Aces 26, Mercury 23

The Aces led by as many as 13 points in the first quarter before the Mercury went on a 13-0 run to tie it up. Las Vegas has a three-point advantage heading into the second quarter. 

Aces guard Jewell Loyd was shooting lights out in the first quarter, dropping 12 points in seven minutes off the bench, shooting 4-of-5 from the 3-point line. A’ja Wilson added 10 points and five rebounds. 

Mercury forward Satou Sabally leads all scorers with 13 points, shooting 5-of-7 including a 3-pointer. DeWanna Bonner added five points and three rebounds off the bench while taking on the tall task of guarding A’ja Wilson. 

Mercury head coach called for technical foul

Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts was called for a technical foul with 53.3 seconds remaining in the first quarter after DeWanna Bonner was called for a foul on Aces center A’ja Wilson. Both Bonner and Tibbetts argued with the official after the call, resulting in Tibbetts getting T’d up. Wilson hit both free throws to put the Aces ahead 24-21.

Las Vegas builds early lead

We’re underway at Mortgage Matchup Center and the Aces have a 15-8 lead with 5:10 remaining in the first quarter. 

Aces center A’ja Wilson has a team-high seven points and four rebounds. Jewell Loyd added an instant punch of the bench, knocking down back-to-back 3-pointers. She’s up to six points in two minutes off the bench. 

Satou Sabally leads the Mercury with five points, shooting 2-of-3 from the field including a 3-pointer. Alyssa Thomas added three points and one rebound.

What time is Mercury vs. Aces Game 3?

Game 3 of the WNBA Finals between the No. 2 seed Las Vegas Aces and No. 4 seed Phoenix Mercury is scheduled to tipoff at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Oct. 8, at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix.

Where to watch WNBA Finals: TV, streaming for Game 3

• Date: Wednesday, Oct. 8
• Time: 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT)
• Location: Mortgage Matchup Center (Phoenix)
• TV: ESPN
• Stream: Fubo, ESPN Unlimited

WNBA starting lineups today

Here are the starting lineups for Game 3 of the WNBA Finals:

Las Vegas Aces starting lineup

Head coach: Becky Hammon

• 0 Jackie Young | G 6′ 0′ – Notre Dame
• 1 Kierstan Bell | F 6′ 1′ – Florida Gulf Coast
• 3 NaLyssa Smith | F 6′ 4′ – Baylor
• 12 Chelsea Gray | G 5′ 11′ – Duke
• 22 A’ja Wilson | C 6′ 5′ – South Carolina

Phoenix Mercury starting lineup

Head coach: Nate Tibbetts

• 0 Satou Sabally | F 6′ 4′ – Oregon
• 2 Kahleah Copper | G 6′ 1′ – Rutgers
• 4 Natasha Mack | C 6′ 4′ – Oklahoma State
• 8 Monique Akoa Makani | G 5′ 11′ – Cameroon
• 25 Alyssa Thomas | F 6′ 2′ – Maryland

Phoenix Mercury injury report

The Mercury will have all players available for Game 3 of the WNBA Finals.

Las Vegas Aces roster

Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson stats

Wilson averaged a league-leading 23.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists (ties her career-high), a league-leading 2.3 blocks and 1.6 steals in 40 games this season. Wilson averaged 29.3 points, 8.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists in the Aces’ first-round playoff series against the Seattle Storm, including a 38-point performance in Game 3, tying her playoff career high. Wilson averaged 18.2 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.8 steals in the Aces’ five-game semifinal series against the Indiana Fever, including a 35-point performance in the Aces’ decisive Game 5 overtime win. Wilson had 28 points and 14 rebounds in the Aces’ Game 2 win on Sunday.

Phoenix Mercury roster

Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas stats

Thomas averaged 15.4 points, a league-leading 9.2 assists and 7.2 rebounds in 39 games (all starts) this season. The 33-year-old recorded eight triple-doubles in the regular season, a WNBA single-season record, in addition to one triple-double in the postseason. Thomas, who was traded to the Mercury in February following 11 seasons in Connecticut, scored 10 points, six rebounds and five assists in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals.

Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper stats

Copper averaged 15.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.1 assists in 28 regular season games. Copper had 21 points and four rebounds in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals and followed up that performance with 23 points and three rebounds in Game 2.

Phoenix Mercury forward Satou Sabally stats

Sabally recorded 22 points in the Mercury’s loss to the Aces on Sunday in Game 2, shooting 7-of-19 from the field and 2-of-9 from the 3-point line. Sabally averaged 16.3 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 39 games (all starts), shooting 40.5% from the field and 32.1% from the 3-point line.

2025 WNBA Finals schedule

How many games are in the WNBA Finals?

The league expanded the 2025 WNBA Finals from a best-of-five series to best-of-seven as the popularity and appetite for women’s basketball continues to skyrocket. ‘The incredible demand for WNBA basketball makes this the ideal time,’ WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said at the announcement in 2024.

‘It’s exciting to be part of the first one,’ Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas said on Oct. 2. ‘We talk about how a best-of-five is a tough series. … We don’t know what a best-of-seven brings, but nothing changes. We still approach it the same way.’

WNBA champions by year

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The Cleveland Browns remain the most active NFL team on the trade market.

The Browns have agreed to trade CB Greg Newsome II to the Jacksonville Jaguars for CB Tyson Campbell, according to multiple reports. The two sides have also agreed to exchange draft picks as part of the deal. Jacksonville gets a 2026 sixth-round pick and Cleveland gets a 2026 seventh, according to multiple reports.

It’s the second trade in as many days for the Browns, who shipped Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals on Tuesday, Oct. 7.

However, this time, Cleveland gets a player and picks in return.

Newsome had been a name rumored to watch as the 2025 NFL trade deadline approaches and the former No. 26 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft is officially on the move. He joins a Jaguars team that just defeated the Chiefs on ‘Monday Night Football’ to improve to 4-1 on the season.

In 59 career games, Newsome has accounted for 178 total tackles, one sack, three interceptions, a defensive touchdown and 37 defended passes.

On his way to Cleveland is Campbell, a former second-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. He has played in 60 career games and recorded 297 tackles, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, six interceptions and 42 defended passes.

The trade between the two franchises comes about six months after the Browns sent the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to the Jaguars, who then selected cornerback and wide receiver Travis Hunter.

Jaguars, Browns trade details

Jaguars receive:

• Greg Newsome II
• 2026 sixth-round pick

Browns receive:

• Tyson Campbell
• 2026 seventh-round pick

Browns CB depth chart

• Denzel Ward
• Tyson Campbell
• Myles Harden
• Jarrick Bernard-Converse

Jaguars CB depth chart

• Jourdan Lewis
• Greg Newsome II
• Jarrian Jones
• Travis Hunter
• Montaric Brown
• Christian Braswell

NEW YORK — Nathan Lukes hit a two-out, two-run single in the seventh inning, Louis Varland and seven Toronto Blue Jays relievers shut down the New York Yankees – allowing only six hits – for a 5-2 victory in Game 4 of the American League Division Series to advance to their first ALCS since 2016.

Game 1 of the best-of-seven ALCS is set for Sunday at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, where the Blue Jays will face the Seattle Mariners or Detroit Tigers. That series is tied at two, with the deciding game to be played on Friday in Seattle.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider scraped together his staff after using eight pitchers in the 9-6 Game 3 loss, telling his group to be flexible and ready at a moment’s notice. In Game 4, none of the eight Toronto hurlers threw more than 27 pitches, and the Yankees hitters could do nothing to break through, essentially putting on a masterclass on how to operate a bullpen game.

Varland, the Game 3 loser after giving up home runs to Aaron Judge and Jazz Chisholm, threw 1 ⅓ innings, allowing one hit and striking out two on 20 pitches.

Once again, the Blue Jays started quickly and scored first as they had in the previous three games, and it was Vladimir Guerrero Jr. doing the honors, with a single, his ninth RBI in the series, that scored George Springer, who doubled to lead off the game.

The Yankees were again in comeback mode and tied up the score in the third when Ryan McMahon hit his first career postseason home run, a solo shot to right.

Ultimately, the go-ahead run came in the fifth off of Yankees starter Cam Schlittler, who, in his last start, went eight innings, allowing no runs while striking out 12 against the Boston Red Sox in Game 3 of the wild-card series.

It was the Blue Jays who repeatedly put the ball in play and extended their lead when Ernie Clement and Andrés Giménez singled to start the inning, with George Springer scoring Clement on a sacrifice fly.  Schlittler, the 24-year-old rookie right-hander, allowed two runs on eight hits in 6 ⅓ innings.

Toronto got insurance runs in the seventh when Ernie Clement singled to right, his ninth hit of the series. Andrés Giménez then reached on a fielder’s choice thanks to an error by second baseman Jazz Chisholm, allowing Clement to advance to third.  Schlittler was relieved by Devin Williams, and he gave up the two-run scoring single to Lukes to extend the lead.

Pinch-hitter Myles Straw sent thousands of fans to the Yankee Stadium exits with an RBI single in the eighth. The Yankees’ last scoring threat, loading the bases with two out in the eighth, went nowhere after Austin Wells flied out.

The Yankees were attempting to dig out of a 2-0 ALDS hole – something they accomplished in 2017 –  but now face an offseason of questions, again falling short of a championship, despite having the third-highest opening day payroll in the majors.

— Scooby Axson, USA TODAY Sports

Here’s how Wednesday’s game unfolded:

Myles Straw brings in another Toronto run

Myles Straw hit a one-out RBI single in the top of the eighth against Camilo Doval to increase Toronto’s lead to 5-1. David Bednar come in to pitch and got Andres Gimenez and George Springer to strand runners on first and third.

Nathan Lukes delivers insurance for Blue Jays

Jazz Chisholm couldn’t handle a hotshot that may have been an inning-ending double play, opening the door for the Blue Jays to tack on in the seventh. Devin Williams relieved starter Cam Schlittler and struck out George Springer, but Nathan Lukes delivered a two-run single with two outs to make it 4-1 Blue Jays.

Blue Jays lead 2-1 through six

Eric Lauer intentionally walked Aaron Judge with one out and nobody on base, then got Cody Bellinger to line out to left for the second out. Yariel Rodriguez came on for Lauer and walked Giancarlo Stanton but got Jazz Chisholm to ground out and end the inning with a runner in scoring position.

Blue Jays go in front on George Springer sac fly

Ernie Clement and Andres Gimenez started the top of the fifth with singles against Cam Schlitter, Clement advancing to third on the latter with nobody out. George Springer ripped a sacrifice fly to center field that brought in the go-ahead run but Schlittler limited the damage by striking out Vladimir Guerrero Jr. with two outs.

Cam Schlittler works out of jam

Addison Barger hit a leadoff double in the top of the fourth against Cam Schlittler, but the rookie right-hander got Alejandro Kirk and Daulton Varsho to fly out before whiffing Anthony Santander to the threat with a man on third.

Ryan McMahon home run ties it up

July acquisition Ryan McMahon hit a solo home run to lead off the bottom of the third off lefty Mason Fluharty, tying the game 1-1. McMahon had three hits – all singles – in 12 at-bats in the 2025 postseason entering Game 3.

No perfect game today

Today is the anniversary of Don Larsen pitching the only perfect game in a World Series in 1956 as the New York Yankees beat the Brooklyn Dodgers in Game 5, 2-0. There will be no such game in Game 4 of the ALDS, as both starters gave up hits in the first inning. Toronto’s three hits led to them taking an early 1-0 lead, while New York wasted Aaron Judge’s one-out hit, his 12th of the postseason.

Toronto starts fast again

The Blue Jays are swinging early, and George Springer got the party started with a leadoff double to left on the game’s second pitch off Yankees rookie starter Cam Schlittler, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. knocked in his ninth run of the ALDS with a single. Further damage was avoided when Cody Bellinger made a spectacular sliding play for the third out, stranding two batters on base.

What time is the Yankees vs Blue Jays game today?

First pitch in Game 4 is scheduled for 7:08 p.m. ET.

Yankees lineup today

1. Trent Grisham (L) CF
2. Aaron Judge (R) RF
3. Cody Bellinger (L) LF
4. Giancarlo Stanton (R) DH
5. Jazz Chisholm Jr. (L) 2B
6. Paul Goldschmidt (R) 1B
7. Austin Wells (L) C
8. Anthony Volpe (R) SS
9. Ryan McMahon (L) 3B

Blue Jays lineup today

1. George Springer (R) DH
2. Nathan Lukes (L) LF
3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (R) 1B
4. Addison Barger (L) 3B
5. Alejandro Kirk (R) C
6. Daulton Varsho (L) CF
7. Anthony Santander (S) RF
8. Ernie Clement (R) 2B
9. Andrés Giménez (L) SS

John Schneider’s message to pitchers for bullpen game

“Be flexible, be ready. Again, we’ve done this. A lot of teams have done this. There’s no set script. I think everyone kind of understands where they fit within their lineup, and things can change in a hurry.

‘I think (the pitching and bullpen coaches) do a really good job of communicating that with them, and I think they’ve done it enough to where they’re going to be prepared. You never know how the game’s going to start. So you can have all the best laid out plans and it changes.

‘So I think they have to be flexible and just be ready to go when the phone rings.”

Yankees vs Blue Jays prediction, odds

Aaron Boone on Yankees’ starting pitchers

‘Our rotation has been huge for us this year and especially as we really started to play well in the final six, eight weeks of the season. It started with a lot with our starting pitching, being able to give us just — whether it’s a high end max six or seven inning or whether it was a five inning. Just our starting pitching was giving us a real chance to win ball games every day.

‘That’s the nature of the postseason sometimes. It’s not going to be perfect. The other guys are really good. The other teams are really good. And the Blue Jays have done a good job against our starters here these first three games of the series.’

Bo Bichette injury update from John Schneider

‘The last three days have been pretty positive for him. He hit in our little sim game in Toronto against Max (Scherzer) and Chris (Bassitt). Running today for the first time. We’ll take it a day at a time and just listen to how he’s feeling.

‘In talking to him when he got here yesterday, I think he’s probably turned the corner a little bit in terms of making some steady progress. It wasn’t just kind of hitting in the cage, it was facing some live pitching and knowing that he was going to be running today for the first time.

‘So I think he’s making some strides, and we’ll continue to take it a day at a time.’

The Chicago Cubs managed to keep their postseason hopes alive on Wednesday, Oct. 8 with a 4-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 3 of the National League Division Series.

It’s the second home win for the Cubs these playoffs after facing elimination.

The Brewers did take an early lead with a run scored by Christian Yelich in the first inning, but the Cubs responded with a four-run first inning against the Brewers that proved to be the difference in the overall outcome.

Milwaukee attempted to rally with runs scored in the fourth and seventh innings, but it wasn’t enough to swing the game in its favor; the Brewers left several runners on base in the later innings.

Pitcher Drew Pomeranz earned the win after striking out two in one inning of work. Brad Keller was credited with the save after striking out two in 1.1 innings pitched. Starter Jameson Taillon handled a bulk of the workload on the mound with four innings pitched. He allowed five hits and two earned runs, while striking out three.

With the victory, the Cubs force the series to a Game 4 back in Chicago on Thursday.

USA TODAY Sports provided updates and highlights of NLDS Game 3 between the Brewers and Cubs:

Brewers vs. Cubs highlights

Final: Cubs 4, Brewers 3

Pitcher Brad Keller and the Brewers record three straight outs to put the game away and force a Game 4 on Thursday.

Brewers have tying run on base

Jackson Chourio hit a lead-off double to left field and served as the tying run for the Brewers. Andrew Kittredge is removed by the Cubs and replaced by Caleb Thielbar.

Thielbar struck out Turang before walking William Contreras. Sal Frelick grounded to second, where Contreras was out. Chourio moves to third and still represents the tying run.

Brad Keller comes in to replace Thielbar. Caleb Durbin walked. Frelick moved to second base.

Bauers strikes out swinging on a pitch from Keller. The Brewers leave the bases loaded as the game moves to the bottom of the eighth.

Score: Cubs 4, Brewers 3.

Cubs looking to add insurance runs late

The Cubs have runners on first and second base with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Nico Hoerner and Kyle Tucker both singled to right field before the Brewers removed Jared Koenig from the mound in place of Chad Patrick.

Patrick would strike out Ian Happ for the third out of the inning, leaving the two runners on base stranded.

Score: Cubs 4, Brewers 3.

Jake Bauers, Brewers cut into Cubs’ lead

Jake Bauers with a solo home run in the top of the seventh. The Brewers continue to cut into the Cubs’ lead and it’s a one-run game.

Score: Cubs 4, Brewers 3.

Anderson back on mound for Brewers

Brewers pitcher Grant Anderson returns to the mound for the bottom of the sixth.

Dansby Swanson singled to left field for the Cubs’ only hit of the inning, but was eventually left stranded by Anderson and the Brewers.

Score: Cubs 4, Brewers 2.

Cubs put a new arm on the mound

Right-handed pitcher Daniel Palencia comes in to replace Drew Pomeranz at the start of the sixth inning.

William Contreras and Sal Frelick both grounded out for the Brewers before Caleb Durbin lined out to right field to send the game to the bottom of the sixth inning.

Score: Cubs 4, Brewers 2.

Brewers make another pitching change

José Quintana’s night is done after the Brewers got the first out in the bottom of the fifth. Grant Anderson comes in as relief.

Quintana allowed two hits while striking out two in three innings of work.

Kyle Tucker singled to center field off Quintana during the inning. It was the only hit for the Cubs in the inning. Seiya Suzuki struck out swinging against Anderson for the first out. Anderson picked off Tucker, who was caught trying to steal second base. Anderson struck out Ian Happ to end the inning.

Score: Cubs 4, Brewers 2.

Drew Pomeranz started fifth for Cubs

Drew Pomeranz took the mound at the start of the fifth inning, replacing Jameson Taillon.

Pomeranz started to warm up in the fourth inning. After Christian Yelich was grounded out early in the frame, Pomeranz put away Jackson Chourio and Brice Turang at the plate to send the game to the bottom of the fifth inning.

Taillon allowed five hits and two earned run while striking out three in four innings of work.

Score: Cubs 4, Brewers 2.

Brewers’ defense records three out to end fourth

José Quintana and the Brewers make quick work of the Cubs in the bottom of the fourth. Milwaukee managed to get the first three batters out. Nico Hoerner and Matt Shaw both grounded out at second. Michael Busch flied out in left field.

Score: Cubs 4, Brewers 2.

Brewers get runners on base quickly

The Brewers quickly get runners on first and second base early in the fourth inning.

Jake Bauers helps take advantage of the situation, hitting an RBI single off Jameson Taillon, allowing the Brewers to cut into the Cubs’ lead. The Brewers trail the Chicago at the top of the inning.

Drew Pomeranz is throwing in the Cubs’ bullpen. Taillon made it through the inning, but it remains unknown if he will return to the mound for the 5th inning.

Score: Cubs 4, Brewers 2.

Jose Quintana strands two Cubs runners in third inning

After Seiya Suzuki led off the bottom half of the inning with a double, Brewers pitcher Jose Quintana walked Ian Happ. Despite the early trouble, Quintana managed to get out of the inning without further damage on the scoreboard.

After getting Carson Kelly to fly out to right fielder Sal Frelick, Pete Crow-Armstrong struck out on a questionable checked-swing call. Dansby Swanson grounded out to shortstop Joey Ortiz to end the inning. Score: Cubs 4, Brewers 1.

Brewers go down 1-2-3 again in third inning

Cubs starter Jameson Taillon has settled down considerably after an adventurous first inning. He completed a second consecutive 1-2-3 inning in the top of the third inning. This time, it came against the top of the Brewers’ order, getting Christian Yelich, Jackson Chourio and Brice Turang out. Score: Cubs 4, Brewers 1.

Jose Quintana cools off Cubs in second inning

After a chaotic first inning, the Brewers called on 14-year veteran left-hander Jose Quintana to settle things down and quiet the boisterous Wrigley Field crowd.

The move worked in the second inning, as Quintana put the Cubs down 1-2-3 to keep the Brewers within reasonable striking distance on the scoreboard. Score: Cubs 4, Brewers 1.

Brewers go quickly in second

How would the Brewers respond to the Cubs’ big first inning? By going down 1-2-3 against Jameson Taillon.

The highlight was a 13-pitch at bat for Brandon Lockridge, who fouled off seven pitches before striking out. Score: Cubs 4, Brewers 1.

Cubs answer big time in bottom of first inning

Just as he had in Game 1, Michael Busch hit a leadoff home run. This is Busch’s third home run this postseason.

It turned into a brutal first inning for Chicagoland native Quinn Priester. After allowing Busch’s leadoff home run, Nico Hoerner singled, then Kyle Tucker walked. Priester finally got the first out, but it took a spectacular sliding catch by right fielder Sal Frelick on a hard hit ball by Seiya Suzuki. Ian Happ walked to load the bases. Priester got Carson Kelly to strike out, but Pete Crow-Armstrong hit a two-out single to score Tucker and Hoerner.

After all that, Priester was pulled from the game and Nick Mears came in. The Cubs weren’t done. As Crow-Armstrong took off for second, Mears uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Happ to score. And, after batting around in the bottom of the first inning, the Cubs grabbed a commanding three-run lead. Score: Cubs 4, Brewers 1.

Brewers plate one in first inning

Christian Yelich opened the game with a leadoff double. After a ground out by Jackson Chourio and a walk to Brice Turang, things got wild at Wrigley Field.

William Contreras hit an infield pop fly that got lost in the late afternoon shadows as first baseman Michael Busch could not see the ball. Contreras’ pop fly landed in front of Busch, Contreras was safe at first and Turang hustled to second base, which wasn’t covered as Cubs infielders were chasing after the lost pop fly. Cubs manager Craig Counsell probed the umpires about why an infield fly rule was not in effect, but no Chicago fielder had a bead on the ball.

Sal Frelick hit a sacrifice fly to left field and Yelich scored the game’s opening run. Score: Brewers 1, Cubs 0.

What time is Cubs vs Brewers game today?

First pitch in Game 3 is scheduled for 5:08 p.m. ET at Wrigley Field.

Where to watch Brewers vs Cubs today: TV channel, stream

Game 3 will air on TBS and can be streamed on HBO Max or with Sling TV.

Watch Cubs vs Brewers on Sling TV

Cubs vs Brewers prediction, odds

Brewers lineup for NLDS Game 3 vs. Cubs

1. Christian Yelich (L), DH
2. Jackson Chourio (R), LF
3. Brice Turang (L), 2B
4. William Contreras (R), C
5. Sal Frelick (L), RF
6. Caleb Durbin (R), 3B
7. Jake Bauers (L), 1B
8. Brandon Lockridge (R), CF
9. Joey Ortiz (R), SS

Starting pitcher: Quinn Priester (R)

Cubs lineup for NLDS Game 3 vs. Brewers

1. Michael Busch (L), 1B
2. Nico Hoerner (R), 2B
3. Kyle Tucker (L), DH
4. Seiya Suzuki (R), RF
5. Ian Happ (S), LF
6. Carson Kelly (R), C
7. Pete Crow-Armstrong (L), CF
8. Dansby Swanson (R), SS
9. Matt Shaw (R), 3B

Starting pitcher: Jameson Taillon (R)

Brewers make changes to starting lineup for Game 3

The Milwaukee Brewers will have a different look to their Game 3 lineup against the Cubs on Oct. 8, with Jake Bauers playing first base against right-handed Chicago starter Jameson Taillon and center fielder Brandon Lockridge taking the place of Blake Perkins.

Quinn Priester, Cubs fan as a youth, is Game 3 starter for Brewers

This is Quinn Priester’s game. And is there anyone better for the job?

The right-handed starter takes the mound looking to send the Brewers to the NL Championship Series and his boyhood team to the offseason. The Brewers have won 19 of the last 20 games in which Priester has pitched.

Priester, a native of Glendale Heights in suburban Chicago who cheered for the Cubs growing up, gets the playoff assignment at Wrigley Field for the Brewers in a close-out situation with Milwaukee up 2-0. On the other side, it’s veteran Jameson Taillon getting the ball for the Cubs for the second time this postseason in a must-win situation. — Christopher Kuhagen, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Where’s Rhys Hoskins? Not on Brewers’ NLDS roster, but still a presence

If you watch the reaction from the home dugout on William Contreras’ go-ahead home run in Game 2 of the NLDS against the Cubs, the most excited member of the Brewers might have been someone who’s not even on the roster.

Toward the back of the celebratory line of high fives for Contreras was Rhys Hoskins, hat twirling in his right hand as he jumped up and down while the Brewers catcher approached him. 

This – relegated to a spot on the dugout railing rather than the infield dirt – is not where Hoskins envisioned himself being this postseason. — Curt Hogg, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

AI-assisted summary
• Bill Belichick’s tenure at North Carolina has seen the cancellation of two behind-the-scenes television deals, first with HBO and now with Hulu.
• The team, under Belichick, has had one of the worst starts against Power conference teams in the program’s history.
• Belichick’s hiring, led by the university’s Board of Trustees, has been a source of controversy and criticism.

So let me get this straight, because it’s more difficult by the day to filter fact from fantasy with Bill Belichick and North Carolina football. 

On the same week the hard-working North Carolina creatives department defied strict orders and posted on X about former Tar Heel great Drake Maye living the dream with the NFL’s New England Patriots, the coach who once latched onto the greatest player in the history of the NFL for a bucket of trophies with those same Patriots, 86’d a deal with Hulu for a behind the scenes look at his now spectacular fail of a buildout in Chapel Hill.

This, of course, comes months after fallout from the highly-anticipated marriage of UNC and HBO’s Hard Knocks, which wanted a similar program until The Muse nixed that one, too. 

You remember The Muse, right? Jordon Hudson, she of the five decades in the rearview to Belichick’s remarkable life, tagging along with Belichick’s new gig and running all things Team Beli.

It was Team Beli that — ahem — allegedly ordered UNC creatives to avoid all mention of the New England Patriots on the school’s social media accounts. Even if it meant ignoring one of the program’s greatest players ever (Maye), whose family just happens to be Carolina royalty.

And if you don’t think Team Beli laid down that law, let’s not forget that when Belichick began his offseason media book tour, one revealing thing stood out: Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who gave Belichick the opportunity to coach and provided him with endless financial and professional backing, wasn’t mentioned.

Since that bizarre book media tour — which ended quickly after The Muse was offended by the simple, softball question of how did you and Belichick meet? — a whole lot of bad has unfolded among the stately pines on the pristine campus in Chapel Hill.

How much embarrassment and shame is enough for North Carolina? Is it WRAL reporting that Belichick has lost the locker room already? Or that Belichick doesn’t even speak to some players, and the culture is a ‘complete disaster’?

And we haven’t even reached the level of distress on the field.

Belichick turned over the UNC roster, built on four straight strong recruiting classes by former coach Mack Brown, and added 70 new players. That’s a roster of 82% who had never played a down at UNC.

Chapel Bill (which The Muse had copyrighted) then lost by 34 to TCU in the season opener, in front of a packed house at Keenan Stadium and a national television audience — as the only game played on the Monday of Labor Day weekend.

After two gimme putt wins against Charlotte and Richmond, the 33rd team — Belichick’s name for the Carolina program, in reference to it being ‘the 33rd NFL team’ — lost by 25 to UCF and by 28 to Clemson. 

This is an abject train wreck at every possible angle. It’s also a steep and painful learning curve for one of the nation’s greatest academic universities.

When the Board of Trustees at any university gets knee-deep in coaching change, bad things happen. 

It’s ugly enough the board allegedly violated open meetings laws in approving Belichick’s contract. It’s worse that Trustees chairman John Preyer, a vocal critic of UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham, was essentially a one-man search committee and initiated the Belichick deal without input from Cunningham or anyone else associated with the athletic department.

Instead of Cunningham hiring flawless and spotless (and pretty damn good) Iowa State coach Matt Campbell, Preyer pulled out his pompoms and hired Belichick without any clue of the tentacles that came with it.

Instead of hiring a humble, hard-driving coach who has thrived in lesser situations at Iowa State and Toledo — with significantly less money to build and develop players and a winning program — Preyer decided, on his own, to hire high maintenance Bill and The Muse. 

A surly, my way or the highway personality who had never coached at the college level, much less in the new, unbridled environment of player empowerment. A coach who was toxic and unhireable in the NFL because of his personality and want of total control, and because of the whole chicken and egg thing with a guy named Brady.

So Preyer decides to give Belichick $50 million over five years, with the understanding that Beli’s son, Stephen, sure would be a helluva candidate to take over once Bill and The Muse decided to drop cash on a Caribbean island somewhere.  

Then — and here’s the kicker — Preyer decided to hit up donors for $20 million in NIL funds to go all-in and buy a championship. Now here we are 10 months later, and this is what North Carolina has to show for it.

Team Beli pulling out of not one, but two cable/streaming site deals to showcase the glorious rebuild from the greatest football coach in the history of the game. What would’ve been hours of free publicity for the program (hello, recruiting advantage), is now just another strange twist to the embarrassing story.  

And we haven’t even dug into the hastily-built and woefully prepared team with holes everywhere. The group of high school and transfer portal players that two men (Belichick and UNC general manager Michael Lombardi) with decades of NFL experience and not a sniff of college knowledge, haphazardly threw together.

The bye week couldn’t have come at a better time. A chance to reset, focus on what works and try to get a win in two weeks at California. 

Then the Hulu news broke and we’re reminded once again what this really is. It’s not too late to throw $30 million go away money at the mess, and hire Campbell after the season. 

What a glorious social media post that will be from the UNC creatives.  

Matt Hayes is the senior national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports Network. Follow him on X at @MattHayesCFB.

The Bengals got their first look at quarterback Joe Flacco in a Cincinnati uniform during practice today.

Fans will have to get used to that sight.

Bengals coach Zac Taylor confirmed today that the 40-year-old Flacco will be the team’s starting quarterback this week against the Green Bay Packers.

Cincinnati traded a fifth-round pick in the NFL Draft to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for Flacco and a sixth-round pick. The former Super Bowl MVP was benched ahead of Week 5 and started rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel in his place in a 21-17 loss to Minnesota.

His arrival means he will take over for longtime backup Jake Browning, who had started the last three games for the Bengals in place of injured franchise quarterback Joe Burrow.

Browning went 0-3 as a starter for the Bengals this season. He completed 59 of 92 passes (64.1%) for 516 yards, four touchdowns and five interceptions in those games.

It wasn’t Browning’s first time as the Bengals’ starter. He went 4-3 as a starter in 2023 in place of an injured Burrow and led the NFL in completion percentage at 70.4%.

Cincinnati decided to make a move and solidified the change within 48 hours. Flacco will be the presumed starter until Burrow potentially returns from injury later this year.

Flacco won’t have an easy outing for his first start as a Bengals quarterback. Cincinnati is on the road this week to take on the Packers, who just had their bye week and feature star pass rusher Micah Parsons.

This marks the third AFC North team Flacco has started at least one game for. He spent 11 years with the Baltimore Ravens and started the 2025 season with the Browns.

AI-assisted summary
• Florida’s Billy Napier and Auburn’s Hugh Freeze are facing pressure after multiple disappointing seasons.
• Wisconsin’s Luke Fickell has not met expectations, with the team in danger of a second straight losing record.
• USC’s Lincoln Riley and UNC’s Bill Belichick are also listed among the most overpaid coaches.

The clock is ticking for some of college football’s highest-paid coaches.

That includes Florida’s Billy Napier, who was on the verge of being fired last season before earning a reprieve that hasn’t paid off for the Gators.

Another coach under fire is Wisconsin’s Luke Fickell, who arrived with massive expectations after a historic run at Cincinnati but is in danger of posting back-to-back losing records. That hasn’t happened in Madison since 1991-92.

And a third is Auburn’s Hugh Freeze. Despite a long track record of success, including during his previous stint at Mississippi, Freeze has been unable to transform the Tigers into anything resembling an SEC contender.

∎ View the entire 2025 college football coach salary database here

This group leads USA TODAY Sports’ list of the most overpaid head coaches in the country:

Lincoln Riley, Southern California

Riley earned $11.5 million during the 2023 calendar year, including bonuses and the value of various benefits, according to the private school’s most recently available federal tax records. That ranks him third among coaches is our survey behind Georgia’s Kirby Smart ($13.3 million) and Ohio State’s Ryan Day ($12.6 million). While Smart and Day have won three of the past four national championships, Riley has gone just 11-7 since USC joined the Big Ten last season. The results over his four seasons since moving from Oklahoma have simply not been there despite Riley’s massive salary.

Bill Belichick, North Carolina

Belichick is one of nine coaches in our survey making at least $10 million in total compensation. While UNC might’ve felt the need to break the bank to hire a six-time Super Bowl champion, the 73-year-old Belichick’s decades of success had not translated to the college game. The 2-3 Tar Heels have looked like one of the weakest teams in the Power Four in games against TCU, Central Florida and Clemson.

Luke Fickell, Wisconsin

This seemed like the perfect marriage: Fickell’s program at Cincinnati embraced the same physical style that helped turn Wisconsin into one of the most consistently successful programs in the Power Four. The results have been shockingly poor. The Badgers went 7-6 in 2023, dropped to 5-7 last season and are 2-3 so far in 2025. While the roster is young, the lack of on-field success could make this a three-and-out coaching tenure. Fickell is making $7.8 million in total compensation as part of a deal that runs through the 2031 season, with a current buyout of $27.5 million.

Billy Napier, Florida

At 21-22 overall, Napier could become the first non-interim Florida coach to post a losing record since Raymond Wolf from 1946-49. While last November’s decision to bring Napier back for another year sparked a strong close to last season, the Gators have continued to be one of the most frustrating teams in the SEC and one of the biggest disappointments in the Power Four despite his $7.5 million in total compensation. Napier’s current buyout is $20.4 million.

Hugh Freeze, Auburn

Unless his team’s underperforming offense gets in gear, Freeze could become the first Auburn coach with three losing seasons in a row since Earl Brown from 1948-50. Before being hired by the Tigers, Freeze had just one losing season in 10 years as a Bowl Subdivision head coach. Barring a strong second half, Auburn will be conducting its third coaching search since the end of the 2020 season. Freeze is earning $6.7 million in total compensation this season with a school buyout of $15.4 million.